So upset about school report. feeling like a shitty mother

[Harriet220909]

Had my son's school report back yesterday and I'm really upset
He hasn't met any of the targets for he's year. Not one.
I know I should have done more with him at home but I have an extremely demanding toddler, I'm stuck in a one bed flat so there's nowhere for him to go to do he's homework and I feel so shit.
He's such a bright child bit completly lacks confidence due to him being behind. He's writing is unreadable and when he asks me to read he's writing I try so hard to and he's little faces just crushes when I get it wrong

I feel awful and like I am failing him. He's got an awful father who never helps there's just little old me trying to do everything

And now he's behind and he knows it. Today he told me he feels stupid after attempting he's homework. I can't afford a tutor, how can I help him?

I just wish the school had told me he was behind instead of me having to read it on the report at the end of the year. I would have pushed him harder and tried to do more

Where did I say they spent more time looking at paperwork math?

You didn't.

You said they were more interested in evidence in books than prolonged observation of your classroom. Eight minutes is enough to see what is on their list of boxes to be ticked, but not to notice and observe and evaluate anything fantastic that is not.

However, in the Ofsted report they discussed reports and report-making and record-keeping at length.

Perhaps you should investigate how Òfsted work rather then make incorrect assumptions.

Perhaps Ofsted should dispense with reports altogether then, since what they record of their inspections have clearly nothing whatsoever to do with their work?

'in the Ofsted report they discussed reports and report-making and record-keeping at length...'

...And weirdly enough, so did the woman from Carterhatch School. I wonder what on earth she was going on about.

clearly reading an Ofsted report has made you an expert Math

What would you surmise is the purpose of the reports Ofsted generates, Mrz?

They are obliged to produce reports, and those reports are supposed to be informative, no? They seek by means of reports to make known to all concerned (general public, teachers, parents, politicians and researchers) how they operate and how they arrive at their conclusions, which as noted have consequences for children and for communities served by primary schools. This needs to be a transparent process, and reports contribute to transparency. It also needs to be a process where everyone is clear about the expectations, and reports also contribute to that, though there are other ways Ofsted communicates expectations. They need to be thorough in their examinations and comprehensive in their published reports, and indeed a look at just the table of contents indicates that they are indeed thorough and the reports are comprehensive.

(All fine as far as it goes but if they stepped back a little they might have a chance to look around and see they are barking up the wrong tree and committed to polishing an educational approach that is deeply flawed.)

Reading comprehension skills are the key to many mysteries.

It gives you something to read ?

It's your understanding of the process I'm questioning.
Of course reports are produced ,after the inspectors leave the school, just as reports are produced in industry or any work place.
Yes the school produces learning journeys for each child as a record of their time in reception.

"From September, Ofsted will inspect good schools and further education and skills providers once every 3 years under a new short inspection model. Inspectors will start from a premise that the school or provider is still good and focus on ensuring that those standards are being maintained. They will check that leaders have identified key areas of concern and that they have the capacity to address them."

OP, glad you're feeling positive - these new targets seemed to have caused problems for teachers and parents (admittedly, I don't fully understand, bug I've picked up on friends' conversations).

To reassure you slightly, both my children have had terrible handwriting. Both took longer than other children to adjust to school. One of mine is September born, but nonetheless very young emotionally compared to peers. Both of them have developed so well and are well up there at the "top table" now.

Things do change.

You sound interested, committed, loving - these things will stand your children in such good stead.

I have so much admiration for single parents when things like this crop up - it must be so tough when you have No-one to bounce things off and you feel all of the responsibility is on you.

Mrz, I don't know how you got the impression that I do not understand the process.

By the content of your posts on the subject ????

'But it is absolutely true that Ofsted makes judgements based on a few minutes interaction in a classroom, or a few days' observation of a school overall.'

Do you mean this comment?

By 'a few minutes' I meant 'approximately eight minutes'.

As in:
'In my last inspection the inspector spent 8 minutes in my room (I actually invited them to come back but they were more interested in evidence in books )'

No Math I didn't mean those comments

Maybe it's this one?

'The way the government and Ofsted see it, at some point generally good practices have to be distinguished from generally bad practices, without regard to the specific individual circumstances operating in every single individual child's progress through school. What those practices may be depends on the priorities the government has in mind for children in the system and on government perceptions of what children are capable of learning. In the UK the priority is mastering of academic content from an early age. The government thinks this is both desirable and possible. Ofsted is the tool it uses to make sure the sausage factories continue to turn out sausages the voting public will be impressed with.'

Or this one from tobysmum77 (Sun 26-Jul-15 10:43:01) that seems to say pretty much the same thing:

'The problem with OFSTED is that it is an assessment based on criteria. It therefore relies on the criteria being entirely fit for purpose for all situations to give the right, sensible results every time like any assessment does. As yet they haven't cracked this and as schools are an extremely complex thing to assess they are unlikely to ever do so. Anyway no real assessments however accurate deliver the right results 100% of the time, even if criteria are correctly applied due to people making silly mistakes, misunderstanding something, assessor error etc.'

Sigh

You are being all mysterious Mrz.

Makes me wonder if you have any actual examples in mind.

Just keep practicing with him-most kids won't do anything over the holidays, he can catch up. I know it's hard with a toddler but try as best you can. everytime you get hime to sit down for five minutes and practice drawing circles he will get better. It's about doing these things every time you get the chance.

I just want to encourage you! Your child is 5? I remember when my first child went to school she actually was pretty clever (in New Zealand they start school at 5). I didn't take much notice of what she could do and never have thought of a tutor for her but she did pretty well although most of her classmates could not write and barely read (most kids start learning to read when they get to school in NZ at 5 (that's start by the way and gradually learn and be encouraged at their pace). Seriously all the kids who were in my daughters class who could not write are probably geniuses by now and all writing beautifully! I would not be worried! Sit back, relax and enjoy your kids. Just spend time with your kids, read to them and talk to them about things. Get them to help you out at home and just enjoy life and make learning fun (and normal). I'm sorry but I don't think little ones should be forced to read, write and do maths as soon as they are 4 or 5 for that matter, hope that helps :)

..And if you really want to help his writing, just write a sentence everyday in medium yellow felt tip pen, and have your child practice as slowly and carefully as he can, just going over what you've written (check for correct pencil holding style tho this can be found online). You're a great mum just because you care!!